This season offers much hope for Pennsylvania muskie anglers, for both now and the future.

Significant changes adopted last year by the Fish and Boat Commission will impact, and likely improve, an already solid fishery.

Making good on a stated commitment to manage muskies on a higher level, the agency made several important modifications to its muskie program that will affect the species as well as those that pursue it. Of primary significance is a statewide one fish, 40-inch minimum length limit (from the previous 30-inch, two fish limit

Here's a look at two good muskie fisheries to try out this year.

Glendale Lake, Cambria County 1,600 acres

Glendale is a gem of a muskie lake, one that contains a good variety of habitats that both muskies and muskie anglers find pleasing. Since it takes a bit of effort to reach Glendale, it tends to experience lighter pressure directed toward muskies than some other waters.

Anglers new to the lake can expect to find relatively clear and productive water. Weed growth varies from year to year, influenced by the weather of the year and any recent drawdowns.

During most years milfoil will be present out to depths of about eight feet. Last summer, angling efforts were negatively impacted by a particularly nasty weed that was difficult to fish around.

A drawdown that occurred the prior year for maintenance work may have impacted weed growth in 2006. Regardless, it's unlikely such growth would hamper fishing efforts during the early summer, even if they return this season.

Unlike many muskie lakes, Glendale does not have a forage base that includes pelagic baitfish such as gizzard shad or alewife herring. This does not impact the health of the muskie population, however. Fish over 50 inches are caught nearly every year, specimens in the magical 40-pound range.

Glendale Lake consists as two major arms. Killbuck and Mud Lick runs feed the main arm of the lake. The major creature features of the lake — boat access, camping, cabins, and the marina — are found along this arm.

The Slate Lick Arm is more remote. In both arms of the lake, muskie anglers that prefer to cast will find points and flats, weeds and wood, to work. Trollers do quite well too, trolling along the edges of structure as well as open water areas.

Beaver Valley Road, which is reached by taking SR 1021 from Patton, has several good boat ramps along it. Included are the Killbuck Access and Wyerouch Access. The park marina is located along SR 1026. Boat rentals are available at the marina, as is another excellent ramp. Motors are limited to 20 hp.

Lake Wilhelm, Mercer County 1,680 acres

Much better known as an outstanding largemouth bass lake, as well as a great panfish water, Lake Wilhelm has quietly evolved into a quality muskie lake. Relatively little fishing pressure is directed toward muskies, which plays in favor of those that do.

The centerpiece of Maurice Goddard State Park, Wilhelm is long, narrow and fairly shallow. Maximum depth is about 25 feet.

Recent years have seen good levels of submergent vegetation in Wilhelm. Milfoil grows out to depths of about six or seven feet during years where sunny, warm weather occurred in spring. Beaver lodges are common around the lake, and add to other wood cover like laydowns and brushpiles.

A fertile body of water, anglers can expect to find stained water when they visit Wilhelm this summer. Each year larger and larger muskies are showing up, fish in the 50-inch range.

Food species wise, the lake's muskies feed on panfish and suckers, primarily. Gizzard shad have shown up in Lake Wilhelm in recent years, and likely augment the forage base muskies use.

Wilhelm is unique in that a portion of the lake is located in state game lands. On that portion of the lake, only non-powered boats are permitted. Expect to find unexploited muskie fishing opportunities there.

A 20 horsepower limit is in effect on the remainder of the lake. Though some fish are taken via casting, most muskie hunters troll this lake, particularly during the summer.

As Interstate 79 crosses the lake, it is easily accessible to anglers. Several excellent boat ramps are sprinkled around the lake. It also has a marina.

Additional information on Lake Wilhelm can be obtained by phoning Goddard State Park office at 724-253-4833.

Jeff Knapp is a fishing columnist for the Butler Eagle.